An evaluation of bureaucratic leadership as a panacea for effective performance among subordinates

Abstract

This research explored bureaucratic leadership as a dominant style in South African public institutions. Despite criticism in certain sections of the literature, bureaucratic work arrangements continue to be a key feature in government departments. Given this controversy on the efficacy of bureaucracies, the study was set to describe the bureaucratic leadership style and its effects on the productivity of members of a public entity selected in Cape Town. A close-ended questionnaire was used to gather data and attain the set objectives. The results of the study showed that bureaucracies offer both benefits and negative consequences. Some of their benefits include a high degree of order, consistency and the strict adherence to principles while it suffers from such negative consequences as rigidity, nepotism and poor creativity. The study recommended that bureaucracies in government should be merged with other leadership styles.